§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that outline planning permission is to be granted for the hotel on the South Bank, including a slab block 439 feet high, and that the Royal Fine Art Commission have raised objections to these proposals; and, in view of its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, if he will give hon. Members the opportunity of studying the details of this proposal.
§ Mr. CrossmanYes, the London County Council sent me details of the proposed scheme and informed me that, subject to my comments, they were disposed to grant outline planning par-mission; the Royal Fine Art Commission has sent me a copy of a statement of its objections. In view of the importance of this site, I have asked the Greater London Council, which has taken over the functions of planning authority for the South Bank, to let me have a model and photographs of the proposed building showing how it would appear from different view points. I am arranging for these to be put on display in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday, 26th April to Friday, 30th April. In the meantime I am considering whether to call in this planning application for my own decision.